Polymer electrolytes

A polymer electrolyte is a polymer matrix capable of ion conduction. Much like other types of electrolyte—liquid and solid-state—polymer electrolytes aid in movement of charge between the anode and cathode of a cell. The use of polymers as an electrolyte was first demonstrated using dye-sensitized solar cells. The field has expanded since and is now primarily focused on the development of polymer electrolytes with applications in batteries, fuel cells, and membranes. Polymer electrolytes are widely studied for use in next‑generation lithium‑ion and solid‑state batteries because they combine ion transport with mechanical stability, enabling safer alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes.